Chapter 209 : Repercussions?

At this moment, Kazuhiko descended from the Hokage Rock, leading his people as they continued on their path.

The villagers of Konoha who hadn't made the trek to the Hokage Rock watched with curiosity as the Uzumaki clan passed by once again.

They distinctly recalled seeing them not long ago, heading towards the Hokage Rock. Why had they returned so swiftly? The sight of Kazuhiko and his companions left an impression - a group with flaming red hair, arriving in such numbers at once.

Kazuhiko, in particular, had been the subject of much discussion in Konoha lately. As they passed, all eyes were drawn to the imposing figure of the young man, commanding respect despite his youth.

News had circulated prior that these Uzumaki were to negotiate a new covenant with Konoha. Some villagers were too indolent to attend, while others were eager to peruse their clan' shops.

Observing the solemn expressions of the returning Uzumaki, curiosity gripped the villagers. What transpired on the Hokage Rock, compelling them to return so swiftly?

Kazuhiko paid no heed to the curious glances, leading his clan back with the same composure as when they had ascended.

As Kazuhiko and his retinue departed, conversation buzzed among the onlookers.

"What's the matter? Weren't they supposed to negotiate a covenant with Konoha? Why return so soon?"

"I'm not sure. Did the covenant negotiations conclude abruptly? Did they simply go up and sign?"

"Yet, why do they all seem displeased, wearing such stern expressions..."

The nearby shopkeeper scoffed disdainfully upon hearing this. Though uncertain of the specifics, he asserted confidently, "Heh, they must have received nothing from Konoha..."

"These smaller nations all seek to profit from our Konoha, even the Land of Whirlpools must be no different. Judging by their expressions, it's likely that Lord Hokage turned them down!"

With conviction, the shopkeeper arched his brow, proud of his deduction.

The others nodded in agreement, finding his theory plausible, yet sensing something amiss...

Their pondering was interrupted by the arrival of a sizable group from behind, their silence casting a pall over the gathering.

Observing the grim countenances of the newcomers, the villagers' hearts sank, realizing that something had gone awry at the Hokage Rock...

Kazuhiko led his clan back to the Senju compound, their journey marked by an eerie silence.

But Kazuhiko's demeanor grew increasingly composed. Facing the crowd of Konoha, he laid bare all the thoughts that had been weighing on his mind in recent days.

Under the watchful gaze of everyone, he severed ties with Konoha entirely.

As Kazuhiko took this step, it felt as though he had released a burden from his heart, a colossal boulder that had been weighing him down vanished without a trace.

The affiliation with Konoha, the former ally, was now definitively severed from the Land of Whirlpools. From this point forward, the true skies of the Land of Whirlpools lay open for its inhabitants to soar freely, with boundless seas inviting leaps of possibility.

In this moment, he experienced a sense of relief unlike any he had felt since entering this unforgiving ninja world.

Despite enduring the initial onslaught from Kirigakure and surviving the life-and-death struggle within the Land of Whirlpools, breaking away from Konoha was the heaviest burden on his heart.

Having finally shaken off Kirigakure's grip and even secured the Six Tails from them, there remained an intangible weight within Kazuhiko's heart—a weight named Konoha.

This burden weighed not only on Kazuhiko but on the entire Land of Whirlpools. For Konoha, as a legitimate ally, wielded formidable influence. Given Konoha's sheer size and power, the Land of Whirlpools had little room to refuse should they make demands.

In the eyes of other nations, the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha were viewed as inseparable entities, like broken bones and tendons. This perception was perilous, for it meant that any actions taken against Konoha would inevitably implicate the Land of Whirlpools.

Kazuhiko understood well that Konoha was a hornet's nest, attracting trouble from other nations on a regular basis.

With the looming threat of the Second Great Ninja War, Konoha would soon find itself under intense scrutiny. Should the Land of Whirlpools fail to disassociate itself from Konoha's identity, Konoha could suffer unjustly.

From the outset of his time in Konoha, Kazuhiko had contemplated how to sever ties completely while ensuring Konoha faced repercussions.

He aimed to convey to everyone—not just the residents of Konoha, but those from other nations as well—that the Land of Whirlpools had unequivocally severed its ties with Konoha.

From this moment forth, between the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha, you tread your own Road, and I'll traverse my own!

Let it be known to all, let every soul believe!

How to accomplish this? This isn't the life Kazuhiko once led. Merely spreading the word through documents or press conferences won't suffice; the news must echo across the entire globe by the next day.

This is the ninja world, where conflicts are commonplace.

It's an era where transportation primarily relies on foot and communication mostly hinges on shouts.

To achieve this, a spectacle is needed. A spectacle that all nations witness, a spectacle that everyone accepts.

And today, Konoha has orchestrated such a grand spectacle, thanks in part to Kazuhiko's subtle hints to the higher ups of the village.

********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.

https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer